New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-12-16
XLHIlING ItAEN.

What Republicans propose TO do about The
surplus would be- more pertinent question u,
under the rules II the House Speaker Carlisle
would give them power to propose anything
anI get direct vote on it. The witty cartoon
which represents the dismay and horror 81
REPRESENTATIVES when that monster. the SUI
plus question. gets among them. should hay"
dcpi,,cd the Republicans n standing vita
hs. j amused interest and not q iiltir >Aii'iA'-
ton shining in their faces but with Mr. Car
li,lc, pl1lo,is on then hpS. If the! can d.
feet or devise chance 10 force vote on I'll"
matter however, there need be no fear that the
Ecpu' Leans viii have nothing to oncr.
II j. possible to respect most Free Traders.
But when Professor Sumner Of (,io. enters
the discussion. he comes so regularly with a
dishonest statement that It is no longer pos
,itlc t. credit him with truthfulncSS II intent.
Speaking Of Mr.. Blainc's letter, he La, tie lack
Of s,ii-Ic,pcct to say that the issue raised by
Mr.. Clcy, land forces the Republicans to resist
any reduction Of taxation. This fal>rhoOd is
the more incNcusablc because Mr. Bainc's let
ter then lying before him, convicted the Pro-
fc,sor There are Republicans who would not
prefer. if they had their choice, to reduce the
revenue in Just Mr.. Blalnc's way and no other,
or 10 Just the same extent and no more, hut
,hcrc arc no Republicans yet discovered who
differ from him so far that they resist any
reduction.
There has been some talk Of securing kcpdb
lean accord upon definite plan by caucus or
consultation. Whether occasion for such a
course may arise hereafter. it is OF course
impossible to say, but at present there seems
to be no occasion for it. The reason Is known
to members Of Congress it may as well be pub
Iishcd. Speaker Carlisle and his Democratic
associates do not dare to permit the Republican
minority TO bring to direct vote, under such
circumstances that majority can Decide
either Of several propositions for reduction Of
revenue That is the only way TO state the
case truly; he and they do not dare and be-
cause they know that considerable number
If Democratic members would support either
Of these propositions cnouGh. If the Rcpub-
hcans should all support it, to give it n clear
ma iorty in the House. That would smash the
=, les Of the Administration and its free trade
supporters. If any person questions this state
mcnt. let him try to get from MIR. Carlisle an
agreement to recognize Republican, at a time
when such proposition can be acted upon
without suspension Of the rules.
The propositions which Mr. Carlisle does not
dare to have brought to 4 vote are all direct
and practical modes Of reducing the revenue.
Two would touch the internal revenue only;
two would touch the tariff also. One is to
abolish the internal revenue entirely, with al
the costs Of collection, the thousands Of official,
and their salaries. their mcddling in politics.
and the countless and costly suits to which
these taxes give rise. Another is 10 abolish
the tobacco taxes and the tax on whskcy used
in the arts measure long ago recommended
by Republican officials, and in his interview
approved by Mr.. Blaine as one proper mode Of
reducing taxation. Another is TO abolish all
duties on sugar with or without substitution Of
direct bounty to every producer Of sugar in
this country, whether from cane, beet sorghum
or other sources. A fourth is to cut of part
Of the sugar duty to cut down the revenue
from wool, tin plates and a few other items
by raising the duties thereon; and then to
abolish the tobacco taxes.
There are not few Republicans who would
vote for either or for all Of these measures in
turn as they may be presented. Each pos
sibly, has his preference; but each would be
glad to accept either Of these measures instead